MAXEL® TOOLING ALLOY
(AISI 4140 Modified)
Maxel Tooling Alloy is an AISI 4140 modified chemistry alloy steel heat treated to a medium hardness (26/34 HRC) and ground to tool steel tolerances (+.015 allowance, +0.15/-.000 tolerance).
Typical Chemistry
Carbon 0.42%
Silicon 0.30%
Molybdenum 0.20%
Manganese 1.00%
Chromium 1.00%
Typical Applications
Stripper/Support Plates Filler Blocks
Punch Holders Die Runners
Clamps Base Plates
Short Run Dies Molds
Brake Dies Jigs
Fixtures Tool Holders
Wear Parts Strength Parts

Annealed Hardness: BHN 185/200.

Thermal Treatments.

Annealing: 1550F (840C), hold 2 hours, slow cool 50F(30C)/hr. max. to 1200F (650C), then air or furnace cool. Hardness BHN 185/200.

Stress Relieving:

Annealed Material: 1100-1300F (595-740C), hold 2 hrs, air cool.

Hardened Material: 50-100F (30-55C) below last tempering temperature, hold 2 hrs, air cool.

Straightening: Best done warm 400-800F (205-425C)

Hardening: (Atmosphere or Vacuum Furnace)

Preheat: 1250-1300F (675-705C), equalize

High Heat: 1550-1600F (840-870C), soak 10 to 30 minutes. For vacuum hardening, use the high side of the high heat range and soak times.

Quench: Oil quench to hand warm, 150F (650C). Temper immediately. Water quenching from 1550F (840C) may be used for simple shapes and larger sections. Note vacuum furnaces must have oil quench capability to achieve comparable results.

Temper: Tempering at 400-1200F (205-650C) for 1 hour per inch (25mm) of thickness at temperature is recommended (2 hrs min). Air cool to room temperature.
Welding

Medium carbon steel filler material.

Annealed Material:
Preheat: 400F (205C)
Postheat: 500-600F (260-315C)

Hardened Material:
Preheat: 50F (30C) less than last tempering temperature.
Postheat: 50F (30C) less than last tempering temperature.

Physical Properties
Modulus of Elasticity ..............................................29 psi x 106(200 GPa)
Specific Gravity ......................................................................................(7.81)
Density ..................................................................0.282 lb/in3(7810 kg/m3)
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